Modular oscillograph



May 25, 1965 K. E. slHvoNEN ETAL 3,186,000

MODULAR OSCILLOGRAPH Filed Sept. 20. 1960 18 Sheets-Sheet 1 fM-f y, MMM im .mu nu "um *w INVENTORS. X40/va f. //n/aA/f #155W 144 nml/fi May 25, 1965 K. E. slHvoNr-:N ETAL 3,186,000

MODULAR OSCIIrILOGRAPH Filed Sept. 20. 1960 18 sheets-sheet 2 Kia/v0 f. 5mm/mv Amref mf. Ufff/f@ May 25, 1965 K. E. slHvoNEN ETAL 3,186,000

MODULAR O S C ILLOGRAPH 18 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 20. 1960 18 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 25, 1965 K. E. sul-WONEN ETAL MODULAR OSCILLOGRAPH Filed sept. 2o, 1960 K. E. slHvoNEN ETAL 3,186,000

MODULAR OSCILLOGRAPH May 25, 1965 18 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 20, 1960 May 25, 1965 K. E. sli-WONEN ETAL 3,186,000

MODULAR OSCILLOGRAPH 18 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Sept. 20. 1960 s. m RM j mwm%w m www 5f /M 0 Mm May 25, 1965 K. E. slHvoNEN ETAL 3,186,000

MODULAR OS C ILLOGRAPH Filed Sept. 20. 1960 18 Sheets-Sheet 7 May 25, 1965 K. E. slHvoNEN ETAL 3,186,000

MODULAR OS C ILLOGRAPH 18 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Sept. 20. 1960 MODULAR OS C ILLOGRAPH 18 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed sept. 2o. 1960 I .zal

May 25 1965 K. E. slHvoNEN l-:TAL 3,186,000

MODULAR OSC ILLOGRAPH 18 Sheets-Sheet lO Filed Sept. 20, 1960 May 25, 1965 l K. E. slHvoNEN ETAL 3,186,000

MODULAR OS C ILLOGRAPH Filed Sept. 20. 1960 18 Sheets-Sheet ll May 25, 1965 K. E. slHvoNEN ETAL MODULAR OS C ILLOGRAPH 18 Sheets-Sheet l2 Filed Sept. 20, 1960 May 25, 1965 K. E. slr-WONEN ETAL MODULAR OSCILLOGRAPH 18- 'sheets-sheet 1s Filed Sept. 20, 1960 l MM...

May 25 1965. K. E. slHvoNEN ETA; 3,186,000

MODULAR OS C ILLOGRAPH Filed Sept. 20. 1960 18 Sheets-Sheet 14 May 25, 1965 K. E. slHvoNEN ETAL 3,186,000

` MODULAR OSCILLOGRPH Filed sept. 20. 1960 18 Sheets-Sheet l5 May 25, 1965 K. E. slHvoNEN ETAL 3,186,000

MODULAR OSCILLOGRAPH 18 SheetsSheet 16 Filed Sept. 20, 1960 May 25, 1965 K. E. slHvoNEN ETAL 3,186,000

MODULAR OSCILLOGRAPH Filed Sept. 20, 1960 18 Sheets-Sheet 17 May 25, 1965 K. E. slHvoNEN ETAL 3,185,000

MODULAR oscILLoGRAPH Filed Sept. 20, 1960 18 Sheets-Sheet 18 as il H s I" l i mi? United States Patent G 3,186,060 MODULAR OSCILLGGRAPH Kanne E. Sihvoncn, Arcadia, and Albert W. Fischer,

Pasadena, Calif., assignors to Consolidated Electrodynarnics Corporation, a corporation of Caiifornia Filed Sept. 2t), w60, Ser. No. 57,289 9 Claims. (Cl. 346-109) This invention relates to oscillography, and more particularly, to an improved oscillograph whose components are modularized.

An oscillograph, that is, an apparatus for producing a graphic record representing the instantaneous values of a varying electrical quantity as a function of time, is an extremely complex instrument. The oscillograph consists basically of a galvanometer connected to an electric quantity source, and recording means adapted to produce a graphic record in response to the actuation of the kggalvanometer by the electric quantity. Modern oscillographs utilize a light beam reflected from a galvanometer mirror onto photosensitive recording material to produce the graphic record of the electric function, thereby providing a recording system which is inertialess with the exception of the galvanometer. Drive means are provided to move the photosensitive recording material, usually in the form of a roll of paper, past the recording light beam. Various systems for developing the recorded image on the photosensitivc paper have been utilized, with the current objective of such developments being to render the image visible as soon as possible after recording. By the use of a roll of photosensitive paper, a method for providing a continuous record of the electric function is provided. Various control circuits conventionally are included in the oscillograph in order to give some versatility to the operation.

The oscillograph is a comparatively expensive device. In order to reduce the cost of such oscillographs, it has been the practice, in the past, to standardize the features offered in a particular apparatus, so as to permit the economy of assembly-line manufacture. However, this practice has resulted in the inclusion of features for which a particular purchaser may have no need. These features are purchased since it is more economical to include them in the apparatus as marketed, than to construct a customized oscillograph for the individual purchaser. Alternatively, a purchaser will often need a number of oscillographs, but will have a need of utilization of the oscillographs such that only a limited number of complex instruments are required, simple instruments ordinarily sufiicing. However, the complex instruments may be required at different locations at various times. The purchaser must then either select all of his instruments to include the complex features required only occasionally or must transport a single instrument having these features to the various locations as required and substitute less complex instruments when these features are not required. In either case, the end result is that the purchaser is put to additional expense, both in time and in equipment, in order to meet his oscillographic needs.

According to the present invention, an oscillograph is divided into sub-assemblies which are modularized; that is, self contained and dimensionally standardized. These sub-assemblies are interchangeable between instruments and enable an oscillograpli to be assembled for the par-ticular application required. The modules (i.e., the dimensionally standardized sub-assemblies) include the oscillographic mechanisms themselves and the control circuits. Thus, modules for a drive power source, a recording mechanism, a paper transport mechanism, and galvanometer input connections are included in a housing for the oscillograph. The housing also contains the appropriate con- ICC trol modules which include, for example, a paper transport speed control module, a light recording intensity control module, an on-oc control module and an automatic recording length control module. Because of the novel concept of the invention, i.e., modularization of the oscillograph, the individual modules have novel structures themselves.

The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a modular oscillograph according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the oscillograph of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the drive and transmission module for the oscillograph of FIG. 1;

FlGURF. 4 is a side elevation of the module of FIG. 3;

FIG-URE 5 is a sectional plan view of the drive transmission ot FIG. 3;

FIGURE 6 is a section side elevation of the transmission;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional side elevation of an optical module tor the oscillograph vof FIG. l;

FIGURE 8 is a partial plan view of the lamp mounting assembly of the optical module of FIG. 7;

FIGURE 9 is a sectional View taken along lines 9--9 of FlG. 8;

FEGURE 10 is a sectional side elevationoi' an alternate embodiment of the optical module;

FIGURE 11 is a partial plan View in section illustrating the path of rellection of the recording radiations;

FIGURE 12 is a rear perspective View of the paper transport. module;

FIGURE 13 is a side elevation of a transport module of FIG. 12;

FIGURE 14 is a view in cross section of the roller spring assembly of the transport module;

FIGURE 15 is a side elevation partially in section of a paper supply indicator assembly;

FIGURE 16 is a plan View partially in section of the paper supply indicator assembly taken along lines 16-16 of FIG. 15;

FIGURE 17 is a side view oi a record event numbering assembly;

FIGURE 18 is a sectional side elevation of the record event numbering assembly taken along lines 18-18 of FIG. 17;

FIGURE 19 is a detail sectional view of a portion of the record event numbering assembly;

FIGURE 20 is a detail sectional View of a portion of the record event numbering assembly;

FIGURE 2l is a detail sectional view of a portion of the record event numbering assembly;

FIGURE 22 is a sectional side elevation of an automatic record length control assembly;

FIGURE 23 is an elevation of the circuit input and output board or" the automatic record length control assembly;

FIGURE 24 is an elevation of the contact mounting plate for the automatic record length control assembly;

FIGURE 25 is an elevation of the circuit interrupter plate for the automatic record length control assembly;

FIGURE 26 is a side elevation of the modular oscillograph; and

FIGURE 27 is a schematic of a diagram of a power supply utilizable with the modular oscillograph of the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. l there is shown a view in perspective of a modulator oscillograph 49 according yto the invention. The modular oscillograph 49 has a housing St) which holds the chassis 51 containing various modules of the oscillograph. An input module 52 contains input connections to which are connected the various electric functions to be recorded. A paper transport module 53 has recording paper 54 being transported across the open side thereof. The paper 5ft has thereon various graphic representations 55 of varying electric function. An optical module 56, only a portion of which is visible in FIG. 1, is contained within the chassis 51 behind the paper transport module 53. Various control modules including a recording intensity module 57, a power on-oif module 53, a paper transmission speed module 59, an operate-standby module 6i?, a timing control module 61, and an automatic record length module 62, are included. A blank section 63 permits the inclusion of additional control modules as may be required. A drive transmission module is included in the oscillograph 49, but being mounted in the rear portion of the oscillograph S9 is not visible in FIG. 1.

FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of the modular oscillograph 49 showing the input module 52, paper transport module 53, and the optical module 56 separated from the chassis 51 of the oscillograph 49. The control modules 57-62 remain in the positions shown in FiG. 1. A drive roller 70 in the chassis 51 is utilized in connection with an idler roller (not shown) to provide the tension required to unwind the recording paper from the paper roll (not shown) contained within the paper transport module 53. The optical module 56 contains a bank of galvanometers (not shown) to which are connected the electric functions to be recorded. Connecting wires (not shown) extend from the input module 52 to galvanometer assembly blocks 72 to make a direct connection between each input and the associated galvanometer. An optical module power connector 73 in the chassis 51 connects to an -optical module connector (not shown) of the optical module 56.

FIGURES 3 and 4 depict a drive and transmission module 99. The drive and transmission moduie consists of a motor h and a transmission assembly 161 connected together by means of a drive belt 102. The m0- tor 101i and transmission 161 are each mounted on a base plate 103 which serves as the base of the module 99. The motor 100 may be, for example, any conventional electric motor. However, the transmission assembly 1111 is preferably the novel transmission assembly to be described with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a sectional view of the transmission 101 depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4. The transmission 101 has a drive shaft 15G. The drive shaft 151i is held in position in the transmission assembly 101 by means of a pair of ball bearing assemblies 151, shown in section, within which the drive shaft G rides. An output drive shaft 152 is similarly held in position in the transmission 161 by a pair of ball bearing assemblies 153. A torque transfer shaft 154 consists of a first shaft section 155, which is aligned parallel to the input drive shaft 150, and a second shaft section 155, which is aligned parallel to the output drive shaft 152. The two torque transfer sections 155 and 155 are contained within the transmission assembly 101 by two pairs of ball bearing assemblies 157 and 158, respectively. The two torque transfer shaft sections 155 and 156 are connected together by means of a shaft coupling 159. The first torque transfer section 155 includes three clutch and gear assemblies 161i, 161 and 162. The output shaft 152 contains four clutch and gear assemblies 163, 164, 165 and 166. A rotating pinion and gear assembly 174), a fixed pinion and gear assembly 171, and a xed hub and gear assembly 172 are mounted on the input drive shaft 155 so as to engage the opposite aligned portions of the clutch and gear assemblies 166D, 161 and 162. Similarly, two hub and gear assemblies 175, 176, and two rotatable hub and gear assemblies 177 and 175 are mounted on the second torque transfer shaft 156 so as to engage portions of the clutch and gear assemblies 163-166 aligned opposite therefrom on the output drive shaft 152. rfhe clutch assemblies 161i and 166 differ from the clutch assemblies 1161-165, in that the former are always in engagement with the shaft associated therewith, whereas the latter are normally disengaged by means of solenoids 181, 182, 183, 184 and associated, respectively, with the clutch and gear assemblies 1161-165. The operation of the solenoids 181-185 with regard to the clutch assemblies 161-165 is described with respect to FIG. 6.

By selecting one of the three clutches 16d-162, and one of the four clutches 163-166, to drive their respective shafts, a selection of any one of twelve predetermined driving speeds can be applied by the output shaft 152 for a constant rotational input rate at the input shaft 150. Rotation of the input shaft 15) causes the fixed pinion and gear assembly 171 to rotate, thereby rotating the clutch 161 at a large gear 190 associated therewith. The large gear 19@ is directly connected to a small gear 191 on an outer assembly of the clutch 161. The outer assembly, that is, the portion of the clutch 161 which contains the gears 19) and 191, is separated from an inner assembly 192, which engages the first torque transmission drive shaft section 154 directly, by means of a cylindrical bearing 193. The use of the bearing surface 193 prevents the transmission of torque directly from the outer portion of the clutch 161 which contains the gears to the inner portion 192. However, torque may be transmitted between these two sections of the clutch 161 by means of a coil spring 195 which encloses portions of both sections. Then the clutch 161 is engaged, the coil spring 195 transmits torque between the outer and inner sections of the clutch 161 and they, thereby rotate together. However, when the clutch 161 is disengaged, the coil spring 195 is unwound to the extent that the section of the clutch 161 containing the gears 19@ and 191 may rotate comparatively freely with respect to the inner section 192. The gear 191 of the clutch 161 engages a gear 200 of the first rotatable pinion and gear assembly 170. The first rotatable pinion and gear encloses the input shaft 150 and is freely rotatable thereabout, due to the use of a pair of cylindrical bearings 2.01 annularly enclosing the shaft intermediate between the shaft and the body of the pinion assembly 170. A lubricating wick 2112 insures proper lubrication of the bearings. A second gear 203 of the pinion assembly 170 engages a gear 205 of the clutch assembly 160. The clutch assembly 166, as has been previously stated, continuously engages the first torque transmission shaft 154). The gear ratio of the gears 191, 2611, 203 and Z115 is such that the clutch 160, when driven, tends to drive the first torque transmission shaft section 154 at a much slower rate than the shaft 154 is driven when the clutch 161 is engaged. For example, a magnitude of l0 to l between these two driving speeds may be utilized. Disengagement of the clutch 161i when the first torque transmission shaft section 154 is being driven by the clutch 161 is not necessary since the rotation of the shaft 154i, at the higher rate of speed due to the engagement of the clutch 161, furnishes an overdrive effect which eliminates the driving force applied by the clutch 160, and thereby tends to unwind the coil spring associated therewith. The rotation of the first torque transmission shaft section 154 is transmitted to the second torque transmission shaft section 156 by means of the shaft coupling key 159. Thus, the second torque transmission shaft 156 rotates at the same rate as the first torque transmission shaft section 151i. The two xed hub assemblies 175, 176 associated with this second torque transmission shaft section 156 also rotates at this same rate. However, the rotatable hub and gear assemblies 177 and 178, associated with the second torque transmisison shaft 156, are driven in a manner similar to that described with respect to the driving of 

1. AN OPTICAL COMPONENT FOR AN OSCILLOGRAPH WHEREIN MOVABLE BEAMS OF ILLUMINATION ARE RELIED UPON TO RECORD VARIATIONS OF OSCILLOGRAPH INPUT SIGNALS ON A MOVING SHEET OF PHOTOSENSITIVE MATERIAL, THE APPARATUS COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF GALVANOMETERS, MEANS ADAPTED FOR SUPPLYING THE INPUT SIGNALS TO THE GALVANOMETERS, A SOURCE OF CONTINUOUS ILLUMINATION, MEANS FOR PROJECTING ILLUMINATION IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS FROM THE SOURCE ONTO THE GALVANOMETERS, MEANS FOR REFLECTING SAID ILLUMINATION FROM THE GALVANOMETERS ALONG A FIRST PRESELECTED PATH, AN ORDINATE-FORMING PLATE ADAPTED TO PASS ILLUMINATION FROM THE SOURCE THERETHROUGH ONLY AT PRESELECTED LOCATIONS OF THE PLATE, AND MEANS FOR DIRECTING ILLUMINATIONS FROM THE SOURCE ALONG A SECOND PRESELECTED PATH SO AS TO FALL ON THE ORDINATE-FORMING PLATE, THE APPARATUS BEING ADAPTED 